Guide To Visiting Space Shuttle Endeavour

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 30: More than 500 California Science Center School students attend the space shuttle Endeavour exhibit grand opening ceremony at the new Samuel Oschin Pavilion of the California Science Center on October 30, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Orbiter arrived in Los Angeles in late September atop a modified Boeing 747. Then earlier this month nearly 1 million spectators looked on as Endeavour was transported on city streets during a three-day 11-mile journey from Los Angeles International Airport to the Science Center. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)(credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

(credit: David Jones)

The space shuttle Endeavour became the latest star to call Los Angeles home when the California Science Center was selected by NASA to be the permanent home for Endeavour. The Endeavour exhibit wows crowds with its story of space exploration and displays of life onboard. Visitors can see and touch the tires from the last mission, learn how astronauts eat their meals and use the restroom and even take a simulated ride through space.

Getting There

Space Shuttle Endeavour Exhibit

The California Science Center is located in Exposition Park at the corner of Figueroa and 39th streets, west of the Harbor (110) Freeway. Alternately, use public transportation and exit the Metro Expo Line at the Expo Park/USC Station and walk .2 miles. Check the website for maps and driving directions. Parking is $10 per car.

(credit: NASA HQ)

History

Considering California’s rich aerospace history, surprisingly few visitors know that Endeavour, like all of the space shuttles, was constructed in Palmdale and Downey. It‘s also the only space shuttle to be named by school children. Between 1992 and 2011, Endeavour spent 299 days in space on 25 missions, including several to the International Space Station and the first service mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. It will serve its 26th and final mission at the California Science Center.

(credit: California Science Center)

IMAX Hubble 3-D

While not part of the exhibit, the IMAX Hubble 3-D movie is a good introduction to space exploration and details the Endeavour mission to repair the Hubble space telescope. The imagery is vivid and delves into galaxies and planets and shows miniscule “tadpoles” in space formed from dying stars.

(credit: Kristi Marcelle)

Endeavour: The California Story Exhibit

This is the first area of the exhibit and sets the stage to see the real shuttle. Admission is free to the California Science Center and the Endeavour exhibit but there is a $2 surcharge on every timed-entry ticket. This area is where visitors see photos of the shuttle being built, touch the tires from the last Endeavour mission, see video of how astronauts eat in space and the very popular display showing how astronauts go to the bathroom in space – kids like the gross factor but it’s quite interesting and explained well. There is also a real Rocketdyne Operations Support Center set up for visitors and a simulated shuttle ride (additional charge). Upon exiting, don’t miss the short movie showing how Endeavour moved through the streets of Los Angeles on its way to the California Science Center.

(credit: Kristi Marcelle)

Endeavour at the Samuel Oschin Pavilion

The Endeavour temporarily resides in the Samuel Oschin Pavillion just outside the California Science Center. While the pavilion is cavernous, the volume level inside is on the quiet side as visitors walk under and around the five-story Endeavor. The walls of the pavilion share the triumphs and tragedies of the space shuttle program. Visitors can also see a SPACEHAB, or “spare room” module that was installed in the shuttle’s payload bay to give astronauts additional living space, and a replica of a main shuttle engine. In order to preserve Endeavour for future generations, there are no plans to allow visitors inside the shuttle.

(credit: Kristi Marcelle)

Eat Lunch with a View of the Rose Garden

It’s not convenient to go outside the museum for lunch so your best bet is to get lunch to go and find a spot in or near the Rose Garden which has hundreds of rose bushes, gorgeous views of the Natural History museum and a large fountain. There is a McDonalds and Taco Bell at the California Science Center along with the Rose Garden Café, which always has a selection of sandwiches and healthy salads, but it is closed for maintenance every year from Jan. 1 through March 15.

Where to Stay

(credit: Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles)

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

There are three reasons to consider a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles for a visit to the Endeavour exhibit. First, it’s located at L.A. Live, the newest one-stop entertainment spot in downtown Los Angeles. Second, it offers complimentary courtesy car transportation within a three-mile radius, including the California Science Center. Third, guests, particularly families, rave about the rooftop pool. The club-level rooms are a good value if you use the food and drink services offered.

Kristi Marcelle is a travel writer and regular contributor at Ciao Bambino and CBS Los Angeles . She loves planning travel adventures with her family, a good glass of wine at the whining hour and the Green Bay Packers. Follow her on Twitter @kristimarcelle.